UPDATES, THURSDAY, DECEMBER 3: Some changes: Time is Sunday 4pm; venue is Ballinrobe Community School; Mayo minor ladies footballer Annie Duffy will also be a special guest along with Barry Moran; refreshments will be served for adults and children. After a hectic first year, Robe Rockets will hold an end-of-season celebration party in the Valkenburg on Sunday, December 6, at 4.30pm – and Barry Moran, the Mayo and Castlebar Mitchels midfielder, will be the special guest. The formation of Robe Rockets was one of the recommendations flowing from Ballinrobe GAA club’s Coaching Plan (2015 to 2020) which was launched at the end of 2014. One year on, the Rockets are now an integral part of the club with huge numbers taking part in the twice-weekly coaching sessions at Flanagan Park. “It has been a hugely successful year for Robe Rockets. We’ve introduced new footballers to the club, visited other clubs, hosted matches, parties and other events, and, most of all, everybody involved has really enjoyed the excitement of it all,” said Rockets chairperson Declan O’Loughlin. A special guest – not Santa Claus, we understand – will attend the celebration on December 6. Each child will be presented with a certificate from their coach, along with a beanie hat bearing the Robe Rockets logo. “It is important to thank everybody who made the year such a success – players, parents, coaches and all others who helped out. Although we are now in our brief winter recess, the players are looking forward to getting back into action again next year,” added Declan. Martin O’Connor, the club’s coaching officer who is also a DJ, will provide the sounds at the celebration party. There is a dedicated Robe Rockets section on the Ballinrobe GAA club website, www.ballinrobegaaclub.com, and new members are always welcome. Registration for the 2016 season will take place in January.
